This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Kenyan football has gained international recognition with Harambee Starlets midfielder Cynthia Shilwatso joining Spanish Division One side EDF Logrono on a three-year deal, effective from August 2020.
Shilwatso, 23, left for Spain on Tuesday, expressing her excitement over the move and vowing to repay her new employers' faith in her with decent performances.
"It has been a long wait since January and with the pandemic stalling everything, the anxiety was really getting to me. But I'm happy now and my only objective now is to focus on doing my best and understanding myself as a professional on an international stage," Shilwatso said in a phone interview from Spain.
Shilwatso's move to Logrono comes after a three-month trial with Swedish top-flight side Hammarby in 2018, alongside Lilly Awuor, who signed a two-year deal with German's Verbandsliga side Borussia Pankow a week ago.
Her former coach at Vihiga Queens, Alex Alumirah, expressed his excitement over the development, stating that there is no better satisfaction than seeing players he has taught and mentored showcase their skills to the outside world.
Logrono finished seventh in last year's 16-team Spanish Division one competition with 24 points gained from recording three draws, seven wins, and six losses.
Shilwatso's move to Logrono is part of a trend of Harambee Starlets players signing international deals in the last seven months, following her identification by scouts during last year's Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) Women's Challenge where Kenya downed hosts Tanzania 2-0 to clinch the title.
